CHICAGO, IL - As it continues to expand and offer growers new solutions to optimize a multitude of categories across the fresh produce industry, Hazel Technologies has unveiled another crucial step in its plan. The solutions provider recently announced that Enrique Garcia Perez has joined the company’s research and development team as Apple Postharvest Scientist.
“I have been familiar with Hazel Technologies for many years, and I am tremendously enthusiastic to join a team of extremely talented individuals whose mission is to reduce global food waste,” Garcia commented. “I was fascinated to see how adding a simple sachet to a bin or a box could drastically extend the shelf-life and improve the quality of food.”
Garcia brings over 10 years of experience in agricultural research and biotechnology, where he garnered immense expertise surrounding food safety in the apple, pear, and cherry categories. According to a company release, Garcia most recently served as Research and Development Laboratory Manager at Stemilt, where he lead postharvest research project, managed the R&D lab technical operations team, and oversaw the food safety environmental monitoring program.
He also spent multiple years as a Food Science Graduate Researcher at Washington State University, and holds a PhD of Food Science from Washington State and Masters and Undergraduate Biotechnology degrees from Tecnologico de Monterrey.
In his newly appointed position, Garcia’s expertise will complement the tech savant's portfolio of products to bolster the apple category, including Hazel 100™ box and bin sachets that provide slow release 1-MCP treatment, quick-release treatment Hazel CA™ and Hazel Datica™ hardware that monitors 1-MCP, ethylene production levels, temperature, and humidity in cold storage rooms.
Garcia will also support PNW-based growers with Hazel Technology deployment and program management and oversee regional R&D initiatives in apples, cherries, and pears.
“In order to serve our customers at the highest level, Hazel has invested in building a team of technical produce experts” explained Adam Preslar, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Hazel Technologies. “Enrique is a key addition to our fast-growing apple, cherry, and pear postharvest science units.”
Congratulations to Enrique Garcia Perez on his recent appointment, and to Hazel Tech on the next step in building an incredible team of produce experts!
